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30 November 2012 Volume 1, Issue 5
935th Aviation Support
Battalion
Battalion Commander
LTC Roger R. Bodenschatz
Battalion Sergeant Major
CSM Javier R. Acosta
Battalion Executive Officer
MAJ Craig C. Schnaufer
HSC Commander
CPT Casey B. Steiner
HSC First Sergeant
1SG Joseph C. Dorsey
Alpha Company Commander
1LT Matthew M. Holmes
Alpha Company First Sergeant
1SG Gregory L. Lowe
Bravo Company Commander
MAJ Keith A. Noppenberger
Bravo Company First Sergeant
1SG Brian L Boyer
Charlie Company Commander
2LT Edward A. Maidment
Charlie Company First Sergeant
1SG Charles D. Holt
Battalion Chaplain
CPT Clifford T. Brown
S-1
CPT River Tene
SFC Heather S. Olson
S-2
1LT Joseph J. Henry
S-3
1LT Christa J. Nieland
MSG Lawrence R. Welty
S-4
CPT Suzanne P. Rodriguez
1LT Zachary Kral
S-6
CPT John W. Zarbock
SFC Randall L. Fear
CSSAMO
CW2 James H. Hosford
SFC Wayne E. Harrell
SPO
CPT Norma-Gene Cottrell
SGM Robert H. Maze
UMO
1LT Christopher C. Johnson
UPAR
1LT Brittany A Adair
CW3 Daniel W. Lieber
SPC Jesse Merritt If there is something you would like to see in the 935th Newsletter, please
send an email to 1LT Brittany Adair at [email protected]
Check us out on Facebook: 935th Aviation Support Battalion
http://www.facebook.com/935thAviationSupportBattalion
The Assistant to the Adjutant General for Missouri, Brigadier General Mason, and
Command Sergeant Major Schulte visited our Soldiers on Thanksgiving day along with
the Command Sergeant Major from Illinois, CSM Robinson.
Thank you to everyone who supports us back in the USA! Pictured below are the Holy Infant Red, White
and Blue Day with the entrance of Military Veterans and the St. Francis Bourgia High School Peanut Drive
for Missouri National Guard Soldiers.
LTC Roger R Bodenschatz
Page 2 935th Aviation Support Battalion
Hello Family and Friends of the 935th ASB! Hope everyone had a relaxing Veterans Day weekend
and an enjoyable Thanksgiving Holiday! We are now six months into our deployment and the
temperatures have decreased, enough to be more tolerable. We have enjoyed some thunder and
rain also…..yes I said thunder and rain, wonders never cease. It actually rained hard recently and
with the thunder it reminded me of being back in the Midwest. It’s those little things that remind
us of home.
So what has WORKHORSE done since last month? The 36th CAB key leaders visited for a week
and gathered some critical data to assist them with getting ready to replace us next spring. I want
to give a pat on the back to my XO, CSM, Staff and Company Leadership for an outstanding
presentation to COL McLemore, 35th CAB Commander and COL Adams, 36th CAB Commander.
COL McLemore and COL Adams had nothing but praise for the information presented and how
it was presented. We look forward to the 449th ASB arrival next spring and the magical Transfer
of Authority!!
The week of Thanksgiving we were excited to have Brigadier General Mason and Command Sergeant Major Schulte from Missouri and
Command Sergeant Major Robinson from Illinois. They took the time to sit down with the Soldiers from the 935th for a Thanksgiving
Day meal and walk through their areas so they could see what wonderful and hard work each and every Soldier in the 935th is doing at
Camp Beuhring and Camp Arifjan. They answered questions from the Soldiers and brought a message from Major General Danner
during a Town Hall meeting.
BG Mason and CSM Schulte gave out some Missouri Guard Coins of Excellence to Soldiers that have stood out from their peers re-
cently. Those coins went to MAJ Schnaufer, LT Adair, SFC Frazier, SSG Cross, SSG Looney, SSG Moyers, SGT Kessler, SPC Yerge,
SPC Mikels, SPC Rodelander, SPC Moreno, SPC Barry, SPC Dunn, SPC Jesse Miller, SPC Adam Miller, and SPC Barnes. Congratulations
to all these Soldiers for being recognized for a job well done. CSM Acosta and I appreciate them taking the time from their families to
be with us on Thanksgiving, so we presented each of them with a Battalion Coin to express our gratitude.
This was a busy month and here are a few more accolades. Congratulations to SGT Dion Brown (previous class) and SPC Tate Guptill
for making the WLC Commandants List. Other Graduates from the class include SPC Nicholas Spence, SPC Matthew Brooks, SPC
Preston Dobbs, SPC Jubal Lawrence and SPC Dustin Hackens. Many Soldiers participated in a half marathon at Camp Virginia, some
were sore, but many were up the next day at work like nothing even happened. I got sore watching them run! SPC Moreno (B CO)
won FIRST Place in the Women’s category. Congratulations to all the Soldiers in this month’s newsletter, outstanding job!
The 935th will be conducting a little Holiday celebration in Mid December to bring together Thanksgiving and Christmas and this way we
allow the individual Soldier to be connected to Family and Friends on the celebrated day in the way they wish to enjoy, but there is
always plenty still going on here so no one is alone during this important day away from family and friends.
The Soldiers in the 935th get up every day and go to work and get the job done and I am very proud of each and every one of them.
Please remember to look at our Facebook page at 935th Aviation Support Battalion to see all the things going on in the WORKHORSE
Battalion.
The packages and letters are rolling in and we appreciate every one! Our next newsletter will not be out until after the Holiday’s so
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. The Soldiers of the 935th ASB are doing a great job and it makes me and CSM very proud to be
leading such a great unit! Please be safe during the busy Holidays, we are always thinking of you.
WORKHORSE!
CSM Javier R. Acosta
Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 5
Hero of the Week: SPC Joseph Granzow
Friends of the 935th, the month of November is almost over and many of our Soldiers are longing for
home. Encourage them through your best wishes and help them push through a critical and often
stressful period in a deployment. Although their thoughts and conversations are primarily of family,
they stay focused on the mission. It’s inspiring they know their roles and they know the cost of their
sacrifices. The family’s sacrifices are no less important. The Battalion Commander and I want to
thank the families for keeping us in your hearts.
November brings in cooler weather and the days are more bearable. Lately we have had decent rain
and the dust has been kept down. Nights are cool enough that many are wearing light coats or
sweats. The only thing missing is the bonfire and marshmallows. The Physical Fitness Tests have
been completed. The Soldiers did exceptionally well. Many of our Soldiers have lost weight and are
doing better in the day to day operations. Soldiers are also attending new training opportunities and everyday they are polishing new
skills. This will make them better, well-rounded professionals. If your Soldiers are telling you they are bored send them my way, I
always have duties needing accomplished and volunteers are always welcome.
There are three traditions here on Camp Buehring which are significant. They are the playing of Reveille (beginning of the day and
raising of the flag), Retreat (end of the day and lowering of the flag), and Taps (lights out at the end of the day). These time honored
traditions often seem small but they are part of what makes us unified in a cause. If there’s something I would ask of the families
during the holidays, it would be to start new family oriented traditions. Surprise us with something new that will include and unify us
as families when we return. Start something new, make it about family, we’ll be home soon.
CSM Acosta
Workhorse 07
SPC Granzow was a key instructor for 3-159th Aviation Battalion on the Wytec Hot
Bonder/Vacuum Repair System for composite main rotor blade repair. SPC Granzow was
handpicked by the shop chief to give an 2.5 hr instructional class on the repair procedures
for a main rotor blade de-bond. SPC Granzow’s knowledge of composite repairs is beyond
his peers and his instruction allowed for the 159th’s ability to return two damaged main
rotor blades back to their supply system for future use with a savings of $122,000 per
blade. SPC Granzow supervised the repairs and ensured each was done to standard and in
accordance with all applicable repair procedures.
SPC Joseph Granzow
Company B 935th ASB
30 October 2012
Chaplain Clifford Brown
Page 4 Volume 1, Issue 5
MAJ Craig Schnaufer
Happy Thanksgiving to all Friends and family of 935th ASB!!!
The main point I wish to convey in this letter, is simply to remind everyone to consider
how blessed we all are. If you read this and think “that’s easy for you to say, because you
have more than others” or, that you don’t think that you are really all that well off, then I
would suggest that this is an issue of perspective.
I am not suggesting that there are not people that you and I know who may be going
through some “rough times”. I’ve been there as well, and I’m sure there are those who may
be there now, which is why I believe it’s important to focus on what we have been blessed with. For each person and situation our concepts of blessings will vary considerably, but I
am not referring to material things for myself.
Some suggestions for thought and thankfulness may be such things as family, togetherness with those we love, friends, health, time
to do things with those we enjoy being with, our jobs, faith, etc.
This list could go on much further, the point is that during this season it’s very important for our own well being and outlook that
we choose to focus on what many of us would call blessings. We still have so much to be thankful for collectively as a nation,
even if you feel that you have it “bad”, you still live in far better conditions than so many others in the world that it’s worthy of
reflection. We serve to make sure that these things continue to be true for our kids and grandkids. I hope that the Holiday of
“Thanksgiving” never goes out of style.
Sincerely,
MAJ Craig Schnaufer
XO, 935th ASB
November is over. The time seems to be going pretty quickly on this side of the world, especially
as the holidays move from one to another. I hope you are all able to find ways to stay in contact
during the holidays. It is important to make those memories even at such a great distance. One
thing I want to point out as a thought for this newsletter, with Thanksgiving in mind, is how much
we Soldiers are all thankful for so many things, even in the midst of circumstances that are not
ideal.
First of all I want to thank you, on behalf of all of the Soldiers, for the letters, gifts, and general
goods that you all send to us. This is not a plea for more but a gratefulness because of all that has
already been done. It feels refreshing to open a letter and read that we are remembered. Or to get
a package that has our favorite snack or a game that is uniquely connected to us. It is a touch of
home and it motivates. Thank you.
Secondly, I want to say thank you for the phone calls and Skype times. I know this is healing for
you as well but seeing your faces and hearing your voices gives strength to continue on to fulfill the
purpose for which we are separated. Know that these moments have great value to us, even when
the conversations seem to cover basic things like weather or sports. Thank you.
Lastly, I want to thank you for all you do to keep the world turning more smoothly at home in our
absence. I know many of you, like my amazing wife, have taken on those extra duties, such as bills, kids activities, yard work, vehicle maintenance, and the list goes on and on. Your workload in-
creases as we press on with our work and everything else around you seems to be unaware of the
added stresses and duties, especially after the first month or two. Know that we do not forget, and
will never forget how much you sacrifice so that we might be successful. Thank you.
Stay strong and stay close,
Chaplain Clifford Brown
CPT Casey B. Steiner
Page 5 Volume 1, Issue 5 Headquarters and Support Company
1SG Joseph C. Dorsey
Greetings to the Friends, Families, and fellow of fellow Mustangs,
I hope everyone had an excellent Thanksgiving holiday. November is almost behind us. It's no longer hot, in fact many days are cloudy and
we've had a bit more rain. HSC has continued our various missions without skipping a beat.
This past month, we got to recognize more Soldiers for their hard work. 1LT David Brown, SPC Jason Phillips, SPC Jacob Mikles all earned
Army Achievement Medals and SSG James Looney was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. HSC has three Soldiers in Jordan, work-
ing closely with our allies and cementing positive relationships between our Army and theirs. Also, SPC Wesley Hamm recently competed
the Army's Combatives Level One course, where he finished first, and 1LT Zachary Kral completed the Combatives Level Two course. Be
very proud of all our Soldiers over here, everyone continues to do an excellent job.
One major milestone was put behind us this month, the dreaded Army Physical Fitness Test. Army life has been good for everyone in the
company, with almost every Soldier in the company dramatically increasing their score.
All the Soldiers have benefited from all the care packages and letters you have sent. 1SG Dorsey and I see how peoples' faces light up when
they come in to receive their package. It's a great thing you all are doing for us. Thank you very much!
Finally, most of our Soldiers will have had the opportunity to get off post this month, taking advantage of the Army's MWR trip program.
Our Soldiers get to see the 360 mall, Kuwaiti Science Center, and Grand Mosque of the State of Kuwait. It's a great opportunity for our
Soldiers to experience a foreign city and different culture.
Again, thank you for supporting your deployed Soldier!
CPT Steiner
1LT Matthew M. Holmes 1SG Gregory L. Lowe
Page 6 Volume 1, Issue 5 Alpha Company
A-Team!
Another busy month is in the books for A CO. Your Soldiers are ever leaning forward, striving to accomplish the mission. A CO’s
primary job, as you know, is to pump fuel. And we have been doing more of that than ever. Since we’ve taken over the Arifjan refuel
point, A CO has pumped over one hundred thousand gallons; we’re well on our way to doubling that. As you can imagine, our Sol-
diers are very busy supporting the Combat Aviation Brigade’s efforts.
In support of these operations, our Refuel Point has had go to 24hr operations several times, in order to stand at the ready for any
helicopters need refueling. We’ve even refueled Navy helicopters during these operations. A CO has also helped out our neighbor
units, providing bulk distribution support. This means that we convoy several full fuel trucks to another unit’s refuel point, so they can
sustain aviation operations. A CO, along with HSC, set the standard as to how a logistical convoy should operate and look like.
We’re not all work, all the time, however. The MWR and USO both put on a myriad of events to entertain your soldiers on their off
time. For Halloween at Camp Buehring, they put on “The Zombie Run” an obstacle course with the added hazard of zombies. Obsta-
cles included the aforementioned undead, mazes, jersey barriers, and a massive waterslide and pool of water. Our soldiers at the re-
fuel point put on their own barbeque to celebrate. A couple of other big events was the Camp Buehring 10-mile race, in which several
soldiers ran, and the half marathon at Camp Virginia. Both SSG Connie Bayless and SPC Joseph Barnes completed the 13.1 mile race.
This Thanksgiving, we were visited by General Mason, Missouri’s Assistant Adjutant General, and State Command Sergeant Major
Schulte. While they were here to visit all of Missouri’s soldiers, they made a special trip to meet our Soldiers at Arifjan, to see our
area and our operations. General Mason passed on how hard the Missouri Soldiers are working and the very positive impression
they’re giving all the organizations and units in Kuwait. CSM Schulte also gave coins, recognizing excellence, to SPC Joseph Barnes,
SPC Jesse Miller, and SPC Adam Miller.
Thanks for all your continued support; we’re looking forward to the day we get to return to you all!
MAJ Keith A. Noppenberger 1SG Brian L. Boyer
Page 7 Volume 1, Issue 5 Bravo Company
Mister Dan Lieber from Bravo Company has put together a wonderful newsletter for our Illinois and South Dakota Soldiers. Please
refer to their newsletter for additional information regarding our Bravo Company, 935th Soldiers.
Greetings B 935th ASB,
We are now past the mid-way point in this tour. There has been a lot of activity and progress since our last newsletter. We have had 8
Soldiers successfully complete the challenging Warrior Leader Course and 3 Soldiers completed computer training at the Signal Univer-
sity.15 motivated and dedicated Soldiers completed the (13 Mile) Half Marathon. We had several VIPs visit us on Thanksgiving, and one
Soldier completed the Career Counselor’s Course. As we continue our primary mission of Aviation Maintenance, we will work through
the Holidays then begin to make advanced preparations for our return home. I would like to personally thank all the Soldiers and Fami-
lies for all their hard work up this point. Our continued success depends as much on the support we receive back home as it does on
the work we do here.
From all of us to all of you, Merry Christmas,
MAJ Keith Noppenberger
2LT Edward A. Maidment 1SG Charles D. Holt
Page 8 Volume 1, Issue 5 Charlie Company
This has been a very good month for C Company. All our Soldiers have moved into Common Housing Units (called CHU’s). This
means that they are now four to a room instead of all living in a large tent together. They have measure of privacy and a lot more
security for their personal equipment. The company completed the Army Physical Fitness Test with a 5% increase in passing scores
and an overall 6 point increase in the Company average score.
Two soldiers have successfully returned from classes at Signal University with several more scheduled. SPC Haight completed the
Network + course and 2LT Maidment completed a Cisco routing course. Not only does Signal-U provide the opportunity for civilian
certification but successful completion of the courses can mean Army promotion points, as well. SPC Spence became the second C
Company Soldier to complete the Warrior Leader Course since we arrived. SPC Croan completed Army Combatives Level II and
SSG Jensen is scheduled to attend the course early next year.
SPC Safford and SPC Newman have gone to Jordan for a Partnership Mission. The Army is building relationships with the Jordanian
military and your Soldiers are providing the network connection for US Forces on this mission. They are being provided with ample
opportunities for recreation. Jordan is a vibrant country with a rich history and culture. We only wish we were able to provide this
opportunity to everyone.
Your Soldiers are doing all of this in addition to their regular assignments and additional duties they occasionally have to perform.
They also have to participate in regular training events. Be proud of what they are accomplishing.
Page 9 Volume 1, Issue 5
S-4: CPT Suzanne Rodriguez, 1LT Zachary Kral, 1LT Todd Gessling,
SFC Joshua Hanks, SPC Michael Peters
The Battalion (BN) S4 section advises the Battalion Commander and manages all logistical support for the unit. This includes, but is not limited to,
property accountability, command supply discipline program (CSDP), tracking equipment status, providing direction and guidance to company
supply sections, budgeting, transportation, and lodging. The S4 section is comprised of: CPT Suzanne Rodriguez, 1LT Zachary Kral, 1LT Todd
Gessling, SFC Josh Hanks, and SPC Michael Peters.
Since arriving in Kuwait, SPC Michael Peters has been assigned to work under SSG Johnson of Charlie Company to help out with Alpha Co and
Charlie Co supply. Even though he is working at the company level, SPC Peters will always be part of the BN S4 Workhorse team. In January
2008, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the Army as a 92Y, Unit Supply Specialist. He went to basic training in between his Junior and Senior year of
High School at FT Jackson, South Carolina and, after completing his requirements for graduation, he attended Advanced Individual Training (AIT)
a year later at FT Lee, Virginia. At the end of his AIT, he started drilling with the 1/ 138th Forward Support Company (FSC) in Jefferson City,
Missouri and in the middle of 2010, he transferred to 935th Headquarters and Support Company to work with the S4 and assist the HSC Supply.
To this day, he continues steadfastly to expand his knowledge of supply management.
SFC Josh Hanks has been part of this battalion for the past 7 years. He joined the Missouri Army National Guard in July 1998 after graduating high
school. He currently serves as the Battalion S4 NCOIC (Rear-D), and has been with the section for the past two years. His previous positions
include: Readiness NCO/Platoon Sergeant, Alpha Company, 935th; Recruiting and Retention NCO, Alpha Company, 935th; Training NCO/
Warehouse Supply Section SGT, Alpha Company, 935th ASB; Admin NCO/Generator Repairer, 735th Main Support Battalion (MSB). His previ-
ous deployment was to Iraq, 2004-2005, with the 735th MSB out of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He is married with 3 children, two boys and one girl.
His hobbies include any type of sport or outdoor activity, Cross-fit, and listening to music.
1LT Todd Gessling is one of the assistant S4s and the newest addition to the Workhorse S4 team. His hometown is Atlanta, Georgia, but he has
lived in Missouri since attending Mizzou, where he received his degree in Sociology and commissioned through Army ROTC. One of the first
things his friends and family would tell you about him is he’s a very dedicated and passionate Mizzou fan! Since graduating college in 2010, he has
worked in human resources and serves as Charlie Company’s Executive Officer when stateside. When the unit returns, he hopes to begin his
graduate education in public administration and would love to pursue a career in government or public office. 1LT Gessling feels it is an honor to
join the 935th ASB in Kuwait, not only to serve our country but also to provide for the needs of our Workhorse Soldiers, who more importantly
are your friends, family members and loved ones. He hopes everyone has a wonderful holiday season back home and a great New Year. Go Ti-
gers!
1LT Zachary Kral is one of the assistant S4s for the 935th and has been in the Army for six years now. He went to Basic Combat Training at Fort
Sill in June of 2006 as a PFC then went to AIT to become an 88M, Motor Transport Operator. On May 9, 2009 he was commissioned as a 2LT in
the Army. He was blessed to make it on this deployment and continues to enjoy every second of it. There have been some ups and downs, but
over all, things are going very well, and he can’t wait to get back home. He currently reside in St. Louis, MO, where he works as a Missouri State
Trooper. Every day he goes to work it’s something different and you never know what you’re getting into, just like the Army. This deployment
has been a great opportunity for 1LT Kral to grow as a person and as a soldier and he will never forget the people that he has been able to serve
with.
CPT Suzanne Rodriguez was commissioned into the United States Army as a 2LT on 26 April 2003. She was selected for active duty and followed on to Officer Basic Course (OBC). After graduation in October 2003, she was assigned to the 725th Main Support Battalion (MSB) at Schofield
Barracks, Hawaii where she served as a platoon leader, battalion maintenance officer, company executive officer, battalion S2, and assistant S3.
She deployed with her unit to Iraq from 2006 to 2007 and when she returned, she transitioned from Active Duty to the National Guard. Since
joining the National Guard, she has had the opportunity to work full time and as a projects officer, battalion S3, Company Commander, reset
manager in the G4, and an instructor for the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence (MSCOE). She transferred to the Missouri National Guard
in April 2010 because her husband is Active Duty and relocated to Fort Leonard Wood. Presently, she is filling the Battalion S4 position and
genuinely enjoys doing her job on a daily basis. She is very proud of all the personnel within her section and all of the accomplishments they have
made. Most recently, she found out she made the Department of the Army List for Major and she is hoping that she will be able to get promoted
here in theater around her 935th ASB Workhorse Family. She has been happily married to her husband, Milton, for almost four years, has two
children, Madelynne (7), Benjamin (1) and an English Bulldog named Lucy. She hopes that all family members had a Happy Thanksgiving!
Go Workhorse 4!
MWR/USO Events
Families– your Soldiers do have fun stuff they can participate in at Camp Buehring!
Soldiers– use this guide for your after duty time
S1 MWR Report…Featured Activity: 935th ASB Thanksgiving/Christmas Party: Join the BN
between 1000-1700 on 16DEC2012… Featured activities include: volleyball tournament (team
sign-up rosters), Commander/1SG egg toss, officer -v- enlisted dodge ball, a crazy hat/scarf
competition, good food, music, and more! Soldiers will be given the chance to try some camel
meat if they desire!
Other events… what to do…? (Call 438-3130 for more information) Visit the USO-Camp Buehring Facebook page or visit the share drive (file://\\10.230.0.15\BRNG-
Share\MWREvents\CBMIR.htm) to view The Camp Buehring Mirage newsletter for a complete listing of all
September and October events 25NOV12 – American Indian month observance (1200)
25NOV12 – Pull-up competition (main gym)
Classic Movie Mondays at the MWR Stage – continue every Monday in November @1800 MWR stage
5K fun runs are scheduled every Wednesday at 0600, at the Green Bean (next to the MWR Stage).
5K T-shirt runs – December 25th (Christmas run)
16DEC12– Camel rides
The Camp Buehring Geo Ed Center can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 438-3207.
They are located on Eisenhower across from BA 7. They offer a wide variety of classes.
